We cannot estimate now the area of arid and barren land in the Lemau river basin area. However, surely, we will reforest two thousand hectares of arid and barren land in 2021.Bengkulu (ANTARA) - The Environment and Forestry Ministry, through the Center for River Basin Area and Protected Forest Management (BPDASHL), plans to reforest two thousand hectares of arid and barren land in Lemau river basin area, Lebong, Bengkulu.
The reforestation will be conducted this year by planting wood and fruit trees, chief of BPDASHL Irpana Nur stated here on Wednesday.
"We cannot estimate now the area of arid and barren land in the Lemau river basin area. However, surely, we will reforest two thousand hectares of arid and barren land in 2021," he remarked.
Related news: Government sets aside Rp1.9 trillion for national reforestation
The arid and barren land is being reforested with the objective of preserving the area as a water catchment area in line with requisite precautionary measures to avoid natural disasters, including floods and landslides during rainy season, he stated.
On the other hand, the reforested arid and barren land is expected to preserve water supplies to meet the local people's water requirements during the dry season, he remarked.
"By reforesting two thousand hectares of arid and barren land in the Lemau river basin area, we hope the project would be able to lower the risk of natural disasters, such as floods, landslides, and drought," he noted.
Nur attributed the damage to two thousand hectares of forest in the Lemau river basin area in Lebong District to nomadic farming and illegal logging. Related news: RI's reforestation program to absorb 47.6 bln tons of carbon gases
Translator: Carminanda/Suharto
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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